Coach Development

Update: ECB Core Coach 

ECB Core Coach is evolving. 

Aligned to the ECB’s coach development strategy and its vision for exceptional coaching, inspired players and a legacy for the game, and its commitment to a reimagined learning offer, ECB Core Coach is evolving to better reflect how coaches learn, develop and demonstrate their knowledge, confidence and skills. 

Reimagining ECB Core Coach 

From 1st October 2026, ECB Core Coach will be offered through a ‘multiple routes to the same destination’ approach. Coaches work towards the same nationally recognised ECB Core Coach qualification through different routes, all aligned to the same national outcomes, assessment criteria and quality standards. 

This reimagining builds on what already works. A cohort route remains central to ECB Core Coach, while two additional routes now sit within a single national framework, reflecting the range of coaching experience, confidence and context across the game. 

From 1st October 2026 

• Cohort – for coaches who want structure and connectivity to develop. 

From 1st February 2027 

• Situated – for coaches who want to develop in their own environment with individualised support 
• Solo – for coaches who want to demonstrate their experience and capability. 

All routes: 

• Align to the same national outcomes, conditions and quality standards.
• Operate to consistent expectations for assessment  
• Lead to the same ECB Core Coach qualification as the destination.

What differs is how coaches are supported to develop, not what they are required to demonstrate. 

The reimagined ECB Core Coach is designed to meet coaches where they are, reduce barriers to development and support a diverse, highly skilled coaching workforce, while retaining national clarity and standards. 

Next steps 

We are working closely with ECB to plan and shape our local offer ahead of 1st October 2026, with a particular focus on operating the cohort route in a way that aligns to national requirements while reflecting local context and capacity. This work will also help inform future thinking on situated and solo routes as they go live from February 2027. 

Further detail will be shared once our local plans are confirmed. 

Frequently asked questions 

Q: Why is ECB Core Coach changing?
A: The reimagined ECB Core Coach has been designed to better reflect how coaches learn, develop and demonstrate their knowledge, confidence and skills. It recognises that coaches enter development with different experiences, motivations and levels of confidence. 

Q: What is changing?
A: From 1st October 2026, ECB Core Coach will begin moving to a multiple routes to the same destination approach. Coaches will work towards the same ECB Core Coach qualification through different routes.   

Q: What stays the same?
A: All routes lead to the same ECB Core Coach qualification, operate against the same national outcomes, use the same assessment criteria and meet the same quality standards. What differs is how coaches are supported to develop.  

Q: What are the different routes?
A: The routes to ECB Core Coach will be cohort, situated and solo.  

Q: When will the routes be available?
A: The cohort route will be available from 1st October 2026. The situated and solo routes will be available from 1st February 2027.   

Q: Is the qualification changing?
A: No. Outcomes, assessment requirements and quality standards remain consistent across all routes. 

Q: Which route will be right for me?
A: That will depend on your experience, circumstances and preferred way of learning developing. Further information about each route will be shared ahead of launch to help coaches decide which route best meets their needs.   

Q: Will every county offer every route?
A: Not necessarily. Counties can choose which route or routes they offer based on local need, capacity and context. Further information about local opportunities will be shared by your county.   

Q: Can I still become an ECB Core Coach if my county does not offer every route?
A: Yes. Counties will communicate the opportunities available locally and how coaches can access ECB Core Coach through the routes they make available.  

To apply for an ECB Coach Bursary in 2026 please complete the application via the link below.

Coach Bursary Application 2026

Trying to decide which course is right for you? Or where to go next after completing a course?

The pathway below shows the courses available, what each enables you to do and where you can progress to next on your coaching journey.

Continue your development as a Coach by becoming a member of the ECB Coaches Association and receive additional benefits, including insurance and access to the ECB CA shop.

Join the ECB Coach Association

Although First Aid is no longer a requirement for coaches to be qualified, we highly recommended that ALL coaches hold a valid First Aid certificate, as there MUST be a trained first aider present during ALL cricket training sessions and events (including softball sessions and 1-1’s).

The minimum requirement is an Emergency First Aid Course (3 hours) that provides you with a certificate valid for 3 years. We offer a number of First Aid courses throughout the year.

Book a First Aid Course

All coaches whether they are volunteers or paid are involved in regulated activity and therefore must have a valid ECB DBS.

In addition, coaches need to complete the online Safeguarding Level 2 course via their ECB E-learning account before they are certified AND are required to renew this every 3 years.

Safeguarding & ECB DBS

All overseas player/coaches from outside the EEA have to ensure they comply with UK Borders Agency requirements, obtain the correct VISA and get Governing Body endorsement. We cannot offer advice, but guidance can be sought from the ECB website.

All overseas player/coaches from EEA or non-EEA countries will need to complete the ECB Vetting procedure. In order to do this they must complete a Non-UK Resident Vetting Form.

With the ECB Non-UK vetting form the applicant will need to supply (1) a Police Check / Certificate of Good Conduct from the Overseas Country issued within the last 3 months and (2) a copy of the photo page of their passport and (3) a copy of their visa (if applicable).

NB – They should obtain the Police Check BEFORE they leave their country; it is much easier and in some countries this can only be applied for face-to-face.

For information on how to obtain a Police Check / Certificate of Good Conduct from the Overseas Country please click here.

ECB (UKBA) Health and Safety Assessment

Part of your visa application may include providing evidence of booking on to the ECB Health and Safety Assessment.

To book a space for a virtual ECB (UKBA) Health and Safety Assessment in 2026, please complete this form:
Request to Book

Click below for FAQ’s on Coach Development including questions about our courses. If you need further information please get in touch with Coach Development Operations Executive, Mark Sheppard

Coach Development FAQ’s